However there is a wide range of forecasts, reflecting the uncertain economic climate.

Three to five years seems quite a long way forward in the current uncertain climate.

"You can always find value, even in an uncertain macroeconomic climate," he said.

Both cited the war in Iraq as contributing to the uncertain economic climate for technology spending.

What chief executive of a large, global company wouldn't want to have a business model like ours in this uncertain climate?

There were worries, however, about how the deals would be received in this uncertain climate.

"But now with the economic climate more uncertain, these are the kind of steps a prudent company takes."

Other parents noted that the current uncertain economic climate made such negotiations even harder.

However, it may not have reached the same level because of the uncertain financial climate.

Then came last summer, with the threat of war, an economic recession and an uncertain regulatory climate.